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Afyon has a few points of interest in the city center. I started exploring there before checking out some more important sites.
Victory Square
My first stop was at Victory Square (Zafer Meydanı). Among the backdrop of a giant rock in the center of the city is the Victory Monument (Zafer Anıtı), a very creepy monument of an Incredible Hulk-like Turkish soldier attacking an invader during the Turkish War of Independence. As disturbing as it is, it’s quite an impressive piece of art.
Victory Museum
Across from Victory Square is the Victory Museum (Zafer Müzesi), a museum dedicated to the Turkish victory in the War of Independence at nearby Dumlupınar. It’s housed in the old Government House (Hükümet Konağı) and has some interesting artifacts and photos from the war and the Greek occupation of Afyon. In fact, Greek forces used the building as a headquarters building from July 13, 1921, to August 27, 1922. Unfortunately, the museum has been closed for restoration for several years (as of September 2023).
It was in this museum where I encountered my first of many grumpy Afyonlu. I smiled and said “merhaba” to the front desk attendant and he looked at me and turned around as if I wasn’t there.
Interesting Buildings
From there, I got curious and walked down the nearest big intersection at Ordu Boulevard (Ordu Bulvarı) for a couple blocks. There was some interesting architecture including the Afyon High School (Afyon Lisesi), which was founded in 1894; the Atatürk Cultural Center (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi); and a cool building with marble statues on the corner of each level.
Gedik Ahmed Pasha Mosque Complex
Along the same road as the Victory Museum is the Gedik Ahmed Pasha Mosque Complex (Gedik Ahmet Paşa Külliyesi), a beautiful complex built in 1472. Gedik Ahmed Pasha (d. 1482) was an Ottoman Grand Vizier. The Imaret Mosque (İmaret Camii), has some beautiful stained glass windows and is worth a look inside. Click here for a virtual tour.
Also on the grounds of the complex is the Imaret Hamam (İmaret Hamamı), a Turkish bath that’s still in operation; the Kadınana Fountain (Kadınana Çeşmesi); and Taş Madrasa (Taş Medrese) a former religious school.
Walking Through Historic Afyon
I backtracked a bit and headed towards the historic part of Afyon. I had to walk along a road that has three names – Otpazar Street, Köprübaşı Street, and Zaviye Türbe Street. Then I passed a couple nice squares along the way and through the market district. The most historic market I noticed was the Bedesten, built in 1914.
On the edge of the old town is the Mevlana Family Tea Garden (Mevlânâ Aile Çay Bahçesi). It’s a small park that’s used as a tea garden in warmer weather. In the center is a fountain with a whirling dervish on the top.
